Playgroup Granola Bars

Since Husband is a full time student and I work to support the family we don't have a lot of extra funds for sweet treats and snacks and are forced to make them. I searched the web for a healthy granola bar recipe since that is a snack we will all eat and I found this one. I've always had this negative opinion on homemade granola bars for some reason but not any more. These literally taste like Oatmeal Raisin Cookies!! Hooray! I didn't have wheat germ so I called my sneaky chef sister in law and she had some milled flax seed she said I could use. It seemed to work great especially since I have never used either and wouldn't know the difference anyway. Thing 2 devoured it and thing one humored me with a bite. When I said it tasted like a cookie he fought me on it saying cookies don't have raisins they have chocolate chips. Someone needs a cookie education class. I'm definitely interested in what Husband will think of these... Anyway, these are great and made a bunch which I put in snack baggies to store for easy snacking. 5 out of 5 stars.

Source: allrecipes.com

Prep Time: 15 Min
Cook Time: 35 Min
Total Time: 50 Min

Serves: 24

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup raisins optional
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 egg beaten
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, raisins and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix well using your hands. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting, or they will be too hard to cut.

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 161
Fat: 5.5g
Cholesterol: 9mg
Sodium: 79mg
Sugar: 15.7g
Carbohydrate: 26.6g
Fiber: 1.4g
Protein: 2.4g

Chinese Beef & Broccoli

This is one of our recent freezer meals that we got from Once a Month Mom. It is also one of the few we do that is not for the crock pot. My mom used to make Beef and Broccoli all the time and I really loved it. I think I've tried to make it before but it was never as good as Mom made. I'm not sure if it has just been too long since my mom cooked this for me but I actually thought this was good. The broccoli was the perfect amount of doneness and the flavors were really good! We used green onions instead of scallions and probably more garlic than the recipe called for. All in all Husband and I both scored this a 4 out of 5.

Source: recipes.sparkpeople.com

Prep Time: 10 Min
Cook Time: 5 Min
Total Time: 15 Min

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 3 scallions thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 tbsp minced peeled fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 3/4 pound boneless sirloin steak trimmed of fat and cut into 2x 1/4 inch strips
• 3 cups fresh broccoli thawed or frozen broccoli
• 2 tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce
• 2 tsp fresh OJ
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp cold water

Directions

Freezing directions:

1. Place all ingredients into a gallon-size freezer bag.
2. Label and freeze. To serve, thaw in refrigerator, then place contents of bag into skillet over medium-high heat, cooking until veggies and meat have reached desired doneness.

Cooking directions:

1. Spray a large nonstick wok or high-sided skillet with nonstick spray and set over high heat until a drop of water sizzles. Add the scallions, garlic, ginger and orange zest; stir-fry until softened and fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Add the beef strips and stir-fry until browned, about 3 minutes. Add the broccoli and stir-fry 2 minutes. Stir in the soy sauce and orange juice; bring to a simmer and cook 20 seconds.
3. Combine the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth. Add the cornstarch mixture to the wok and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 30 seconds.

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 146.2
Fat: 3.6 g
Cholesterol: 48.5 mg
Fiber: 2.2 g
Protein: 22.1 g

 

Where have I been all your life?!

Ok, OK... It's been a while. I get it. Here I am. We've kind of gone a different route lately and it's been a little hard to share our recipes. That's right, we've jumped on the freezer meal band wagon! We love it! With me working full time and Husband in school it's either that or eat pizza and garbage (not literal garbage...) and we choose freezer meals. I've decided to start sharing the recipes that we find but again I have to say that these are NOT my own recipes. I find them elsewhere and will try them and compile them here for you. I will also tell you if I would change anything. Deal? Ok.

Husband and I are about to have a prep day and I think it would be easiest if I blog each recipe when we eat it rather than all the recipes on prep day. Keep your eyes out for new and exciting things. Yum.